1. BACKGROUND. The Department of the Army approved the FY14 America’s Army – Our Profession, “Stand Strong” Program to continue development of a commonly understood, accepted, and internalized meaning of the Army Profession and Ethic (Reference ALARACT 243/2013, supporting Army Campaign Plan Major Objective 4-8, Institutionalize the Army Profession and HQDA EXORD , Ready and Resilient Campaign Plan, Line of Effort 3, Strengthen Army Professionals).
The goal is for Army Professionals – United in our Identity – to “Stand Strong” to contribute Honorable Service in defense of the American people; and to provide ethical, effective, and efficient Stewardship of the Army Profession for Soldiers, Army Civilians, Army Families, and the resources entrusted to our care.

2. Is This Your Army? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWdOEu73K6k&list=UU
The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) asks what kind of Army do we want. What are we willing to do to maintain Trust among all members of the Army – battle buddies, leaders, Army Civilians, everyone – and with the American people. He states the need for all Army Professionals to Stand Strong, together, for honorable conduct, support and respect for all, and against toleration of unethical practices and behavior. As Army Professionals, we demand this of ourselves and those to our right and left.

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES Army Professionals:
Uphold the Army Ethic, live by Army Values, hold each other accountable, and conduct themselves in a manner worthy of their professional status and calling to support and defend the American people.
Motivate and inspire honorable service through ethical conduct of the mission and in performance of duty with discipline and to standard.
Strengthen understanding of and dedication to stewardship of the Army Profession.
Enhance esprit de corps - “Our Winning Spirit” embedded within our culture, sustained by customs, courtesies, and traditions - and foster ready and resilient units and organizations with the courage to persevere.
As per the slide.
Ref: AA-OP Stand Strong, “Honorable Service / Stewardship” Information Paper

4. Honorable Service and Stewardship
Honorable Service - Our Noble Calling to Serve the Nation
Serve the nation by supporting and defending the constitution in a way that upholds the rights and interests of the American people.
Uphold the Army Ethic as the moral framework defining what it means to serve honorably.
Strengthen our commitment to honorable service by living the Army Values in the performance of duty and all aspects of life.
Stewardship – Responsibilities Now and for the Future
Ensure right action and decisions: ethical, effective, and efficient.
Care for Army Professionals and Families.
Motivate and inspire the conduct of Army Professionals and organizations in accordance with the Army Ethic.
ADRP 1
1-11. Among American professions, the Army Profession has unique characteristics because of the lethality of our operations. The Nation tasks the Army to do many things besides combat operations, but ultimately as ADP 1 states, the primary reason the Army exists is to fight and win the Nation’s wars through prompt and sustained land combat, as part of the joint force. The Army must always be prepared to accomplish this mission through the application of lethal force. The uniformed members accept unlimited personal liability, knowing that they may lose their lives to accomplish their mission. The moral implications of this for Soldiers are great and compel them to be diligent in their understanding of what it means to be an Army Professional.
1-12. Like other professions, the Army provides for the American people what they cannot effectively or efficiently provide for themselves: security and the defense of the Republic through the conduct of unified land operations with the other Armed Services. The Army provides the United States with the landpower to prevent, shape, and win in the land domain.
1-13. The American people, through civilian authorities, grant us the autonomy to use lethal force on their behalf because we have earned their trust. The Army cannot simply declare itself to be a profession; the American people, not the Army, determine when the U.S. Army is serving them as a military profession. And they will only continue to regard the Army as a profession based on our effective and ethical application of landpower. As long as they trust us to provide for their common defense, they will grant the respected status of profession to the Army and provide the autonomy we need to do our work effectively and ethically.
1-14. The Army, like other professions, regulates the behavior and effectiveness of Army Professionals and units through its ethic. The Army Ethic is the evolving set of laws, values, and beliefs, deeply embedded within the core of the Army culture and practiced by all members of the Army Profession to motivate and guide the appropriate conduct of individual members bound together in common moral purpose. The Uniform Code of Military Justice, Army regulations, and policies set the minimum standard for behavior. Effectiveness is an outcome of the Army Ethic, as adhered to and practiced by stewards of the Profession. The constituent parts of our ethic are evolving with the changes in the practice of warfare and our societal norms, but the manifestation of our ethic has not changed since the Constitution was adopted in 1787.
1-15. Simple or strict compliance with laws and regulations rarely generate a deeper understanding of why a prescribed behavior is right and good. The Army Ethic provides an additional moral dimension that aids in understanding the why behind right behavior. The Army Ethic is embedded in and integral to each of the five essential characteristics of the Army Profession—trust, military expertise, honorable service, esprit de corps, and stewardship.
1-16. The Army Ethic provides and inspires the indispensible motivating spirit of those who commit to it. This is the ethos of the Army Ethic. The convention in this ADRP is to use the term ethos to describe intangible motivations of the human spirit and the word ethic when referring to the totality of the Army Ethic, the framework that includes both legal and moral components. While the nature of an ethos precludes completely reducing it to words, our oaths, values, and creeds capture the essence of the Army Ethic.
Ref: ADRP 1

5. A Framework of the Army Ethic Individual as Professional
Legal Foundations
Moral Foundations
Moral-Institutional
The U.S. Declaration of Independence
Just War Tradition
Trust Relationships of the Profession
Army as Profession
(Values/norms for performance of collective Institution)
Legal-Institutional
The U.S. Constitution
Title 5, 10, 26 U.S. Code
Treaties of which U.S. is party
Status of Forces Agreements
Law of Armed Conflict
Legal-Individual
Oath of:
Commission
Enlistment
Office
U.S. Code - Standards of
Exemplary Conduct
UCMJ
Rules Of Engagement
Soldier’s Rules
Moral-Individual
Universal Norms:
Basic Rights
Golden Rule
Values, Creeds & Mottos:
“Duty, Honor, Country”
NCO Creed, Civilian Creed
Soldier’s Creed, Warrior Ethos
7 Army Values
Individual as Professional
(Values/norms for performance of individual Professionals)
The Army Profession serves the nation by supporting and defending the Constitution, upholding the rights and interests of the American people. This is the basis for the Army Ethic.
The Army Ethic guides the Army, both as an institution (a military Department) and as a profession; it informs proper policies and procedures within units and organizations; and it defines ethical decisions and actions for Soldiers and Army Civilians.
ADRP 1
OUR OBLIGATIONS AND ASPIRATIONS FROM THE ARMY ETHIC
2-11. The framework shows the ethic as rich and varied in its sources and its content. Parts of the Army Ethic originate from codified legal documents, such as the Constitution and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Institutionally, it is the codified part of our ethic that serves to establish the mission of the Army (ADP 1 discusses the mission of the Army). Army Professionals perform individual duties according to the legal part of the Army Ethic. The Army considers an individual’s performance of duty unacceptable if it does not meet the minimum standard of the codified legal norms. The Uniform Code of Military Justice prescribes penalties for Army Professionals who neglect their duties.
2-12. In addition to the legal foundations, however, the Army also draws the moral foundations of its ethic from traditions, customs, and documents with immense moral content and civic importance for all Americans. Technically, these types of traditions and documents do not have standing in law; however, they often inform, support, and form the basis for (origin of) laws. Some include the Declaration of Independence, the just war tradition, and the golden rule for interpersonal behavior. The Army weaves these moral foundations throughout its culture and the subcultures within it. The Army believes these moral foundations are effective and passes them on to succeeding generations through leadership, mentoring, customs, and traditions.
2-13. Motivated by both the legal and moral foundations of the Army Ethic, the individual Army Professional must adhere to the law of armed conflict, Soldier’s Rules, and rules of engagement. However, in situations where the law of armed conflict and rules of engagement fail to provide a clear and discernible course of action. In these situations, Soldiers base their decisions on the moral aspects of the Army Ethic, such as the protection of inalienable rights of all persons—and abide by the Army Values. By doing so, Army Professionals are upholding the moral basis of using lethal force on behalf of the Nation and navigating the complexity and uncertainty of combat in a manner that brings honor to the Nation.
2-14. This motivating aspiration is also associated with the individual’s honor—earning merits and recognition from the Army and peers for what the individual aspires to and actually accomplishes within a meritocratic culture, a culture based on abilities and achievements. Furthermore, this aspiration helps lead to a life of virtue that reinforces internal and external trust for the Army Profession and individual Army Professionals. Citations for bravery and following the Warrior Ethos are examples of commendable virtuous behavior. All citations for bravery are actions above and beyond the call of duty that reflect the Army Professional’s action under such moral motivation. The Soldier’s Creed and the Army Civilian Creed also articulate the basis for such aspiration (appendix B lists the creeds). Several aspects of the Army Ethic are discussed in the context of the five essential characteristics of the profession.
Ref: ADRP 1

6. Stand Strong through Honorable Service
Our Noble Calling to Serve the Nation:
Devotion to duty and conduct of mission in a manner consistent with the Army Ethic and Army Values
Upholding the Army Ethic with moral courage, we conduct ourselves professionally, respect the dignity of all persons, and do what is right to stop unethical practices
Honorable Service – Our Noble Calling to Serve the Nation – is an essential characteristic of the Army Profession; demonstrated by devotion to duty, defending the American people, in a manner consistent with the Army Ethic. Army Professionals live by Army Values in conduct of the mission and performance of duty, with discipline and to standard.
The Army Profession serves the nation by supporting and defending the Constitution, upholding the rights and interests of the American people. This is the basis for the Army Ethic.
The Army Ethic guides the Army, both as an institution (a military Department) and as a profession; it informs proper policies and procedures within units and organizations; and it defines ethical decisions and actions for Soldiers and Army Civilians.
In joining the Army Profession, swearing by Oath their “true faith and allegiance” to the Constitution, Army Professionals dedicate themselves to Honorable Service, foregoing some of the rights of their fellow citizens. Most importantly, they relinquish the “right” to make decisions or to take actions that violate the Army Ethic.
It is the duty of Army Professionals to demonstrate competence, character, and commitment – frequently demanding the moral courage to do what is right despite risk, uncertainty, and fear.
In demonstrating “true faith and allegiance to the Constitution” Army Professionals uphold the Army Ethic and “Stand Strong” to deter misconduct, to support each other in the proper conduct of duty, and to do what is right to stop unethical practices.
Commander’s award for civilian service
Ref: AA-OP Stand Strong, “Honorable Service / Stewardship” Information Paper

7. Stand Strong as Stewards of the Army Profession
Caring for Army Professionals and Families
Creation of open, inclusive, positive climates that support personal and professional growth for all members of the Army Family.
Promotion of safe, respectful environments where all persons are valued and unethical conduct is not tolerated.
Reinforce trust and enhance esprit de corps.
ADRP 1: Stewardship is about the special responsibilities of Army leaders to the profession and to the American people. The Army is responsible and duty-bound not just to complete today’s missions with the resources available, but also to providing candid advice and accurate assessments for future requirements. Our professional responsibility is to ensure, through the stewardship of its leaders, the present and future effectiveness of the profession. All members of the profession must be stewards of the profession.
ADRP 6-22: 7-4. Developing people and the organization with a long-term perspective requires leaders who—
 Create a positive environment that fosters esprit de corps and teamwork, promotes cohesion, and encourages initiative and acceptance of responsibility. A leader maintains a healthy balance between caring for people and their families while focusing on the mission.
 Seek self-improvement. To master the profession at every level, a leader must make a full commitment to lifelong learning. Self-improvement requires self-awareness and leads to new skills necessary to adapt to changes in the leadership environment.
 Invest adequate time and effort to develop individual subordinates and build effective teams. Success demands a fine balance of teaching, counseling, coaching, and mentoring.
 Act as stewards of the profession, making choices and taking actions that ensure that leaders in the future sustain an Army capable of performing its core functions.
Ref: ADRP 1 & 6-22

8. Our Commitment to “Stand Strong”
Army Professionals “Stand Strong” together by upholding the Army Ethic
We “Stand Strong” through consistent demonstration of competence, character, and commitment in order to reinforce Trust
We “Stand Strong” by setting the example, preventing misconduct, and doing what is right to stop unethical practices
The intent for the FY14 America’s Army – Our Profession, “Stand Strong” Program is to develop a shared professional identity, motivate ethical conduct, and drive character development for Army Professionals. The program reinforces Trust internal to the Army and with the American people, inspires Honorable Service, strengthens Stewardship of the Army Profession, and enhances Esprit de Corps.
a. Vision. Members of the Army Profession clearly understand, accept, practice their profession, and hold each other accountable, consistent with the Army Ethic and Army Values, in a manner worthy of their professional status.
b. Mission. The Army Profession conducts the FY14 America’s Army – Our Profession, “Stand Strong” Program to reinforce Trust, to inspire Honorable Service, strengthen ethical, effective, and efficient Stewardship of the Army Profession, and enhance Esprit de Corps.
Important point: the non-toleration of unethical or illegal conduct:
Needs moral courage to act. Observing but not acting is as bad as the crime. Each time that happens a new standards is set.
Ref: AA-OP Stand Strong, “Honorable Service / Stewardship” Information Paper

9. Army Professionals’ Contribution to Honorable Service and Stewardship
Competence:
Demonstrated ability to perform duties successfully and to accomplish the mission with discipline and to standard.
Character:
Dedication and adherence to the Army Values and the Profession’s Ethic as consistently and faithfully demonstrated in decisions and actions.
Commitment:
Resolve to contribute Honorable Service to the Nation, to perform duties with discipline and to standard, and to strive to successfully and ethically accomplish the mission despite adversity, obstacles, and challenges.
ADRP 1
3-15. The Army Profession has a set of three broad criteria for the certification of all Army Professionals. These criteria will be applied in more specific detail by Army branches, proponents, and civilian career programs based on the specific context of the certification.
3-16. Competence is an Army Professional’s demonstrated ability to perform his/her duties successfully and to accomplish the mission with discipline and to standard.
3-17. Character is an Army Professional’s dedication and adherence to the Army Values and the Profession’s ethic as consistently and faithfully demonstrated in decisions and actions.
3-18. Commitment is the resolve of Army Professionals to contribute honorable service to the Nation, to perform their duties successfully with discipline and to standard, and to strive to successfully and ethically accomplish the mission despite adversity, obstacles, and challenges.
It is the duty of Army Professionals to demonstrate competence, character, and commitment – frequently demanding the moral courage to do what is right despite risk, uncertainty, and fear.
Ref: ADRP 1; para. 3-16/17/18

10. Case Study 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nECp5tx_CVc (Intro)
Intro video:
Conclusion:
Facilitate questions about Character, Service and Stewardship.
SPC Hyde is an example of a negative command climate/environment and poor leader response to the situation.
(Conclusion)

11. Case Study 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-g-fmUEcSA PART 1
SSG Huntley and his squad are under the terrible stress of losing an admired leader and being given the mission to find his killer. He questions the best way to care for his Soldiers, avenge the fallen leader, and complete the mission. He must Stand Strong with his Soldiers against the temptation of revenge to perform proper duty in making sound decisions and taking appropriate action that are both effective and ethical. Making a right decision and demonstrating the courage to act accordingly requires competence, character, and commitment honor Army Values in all decisions and actions.
SSG Huntley
PART 2

12. Case Study 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXHzcbWJkuQ PART 1
Facilitation questions about Character, Service and Stewardship.
CSM Julie Guerra was the victim of sexual assault as a Private First Class. Her unit's leadership set a standard which she now uses to train and educate her leaders on how to handle these cases. She is sharing her story to help fellow Army professionals better understand the needs of sexual assault victims, in order to eradicate this crime that undermines trust and tarnishes our Army Profession.
CSM Julie Guerra
PART 2

13. Stand Strong in Your Organization!
Army Professionals of Character Stand Strong in ensuring Honorable conduct and decisions and Stewarding Our Profession.
Are YOU Standing Strong?
Give examples of how YOU support all persons in YOUR organization
Give examples of how YOU build Trust relationships
Give examples of how YOU do not tolerate unethical or illegal conduct
Apply the learning to the Soldiers and Army Civilians organizations.

14. Summary Army Professionals:
Uphold the Army Ethic, live by Army Values, hold each other accountable, and conduct themselves in a manner worthy of their professional status and calling to support and defend the American people.
Motivate and inspire honorable service through ethical conduct of the mission and in performance of duty with discipline and to standard.
Strengthen understanding of and dedication to stewardship of the Army Profession.
Enhance esprit de corps - “Our Winning Spirit” embedded within our culture, sustained by customs, courtesies, and traditions - and foster ready and resilient units and organizations with the courage to persevere.
Review of objectives.

15. Your feedback is important for Strengthening the Army Profession!!
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16. Visit us at http://cape.army.mil
Products and Materials for Development as Army Professionals